Voice of Romni’s work in the United States continues.

On September 24, our President, Anzhelika Bielova, was invited by Devex — a global media platform for professionals working in international development and humanitarian assistance — to attend the Ukraine Prosperity Forum: Building the Future Through Philanthropy and Investment Today.

The Forum brought together around 150 representatives from business, the financial sector, philanthropy, government and international institutions to discuss Ukraine’s long-term economic future, including investment, recovery, economic growth and new partnerships.

The event was supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which has been providing sustained support to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. Its assistance covers humanitarian response, food security, agricultural support, critical infrastructure recovery, demining and medical assistance for people affected by the war. Among the Foundation’s initiatives is its support for Superhumans, a centre providing prosthetics and rehabilitation to veterans and civilians affected by the war. The Foundation also works through Ukrainian and local partners, supporting solutions implemented directly within communities.

For Voice of Romni, it is important that this global conversation includes not only the voices of major institutions, investors and governments. People whose lives are directly affected by recovery must remain at the centre of it. This includes Roma communities, people from frontline regions, internally displaced people, large families, women and others whose needs and opportunities are not always adequately represented in decision-making processes.

Recovery is not only about rebuilding infrastructure. It is also about investing in people — in education, employment, entrepreneurship, leadership and the ability to shape their own futures.

It is particularly important to recognise the role of women in these processes. Women are already creating their own initiatives, developing businesses, working in their communities and taking responsibility for their development. Supporting such initiatives is not an additional element of recovery — it is part of its long-term resilience.

This is what Voice of Romni continues to advocate for on international platforms: Ukraine’s recovery must be inclusive, and decisions about its future must take into account the experiences and needs of people who live with the realities and consequences of war while already working to build the future of their communities. We thank Devex for the invitation and for creating space for the voices of local organisations and communities to be represented in the global dialogue on Ukraine’s future.